Though he rated his performance against Greece in a subsequent qualifier at Old Trafford - the game in which England sealed qualification thanks to David Beckham's last minute free-kick - as one of his most disappointing

Unfortunately for Gerrard, the Portguese goalkeeper Ricardo, whom he faced in a penalty shoot-out later in the tournament, had hands like spades. Ricardo saved Gerrard's effort as England exited at the quarter-finals

Another tournament, another fleeting moment of joy, with another horrible ending. Gerrard scored against France in their group D match in Ukraine, but England lost to Italy in the quarter-final on penalties

But, in a tricky group, his side have yet to assert themselves. Therefore England's friendly with Sweden on Wednesday night, in which Gerrard will earn his 100th cap, is an important occasion for the whole England side to re-group and build momentum